UCLA junior linebacker Anthony Barr has been selected as the Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year by collegefootballnews.com. Barr, a second-team Associated Press All-America selection, leads the nation with a total of 13.5 sacks this season. In addition, senior defensive end Datone Jones and sophomore offensive guard Xavier Su'a-Filo joined Barr on the publication's first-team All-Pac-12 squad.

In his first season on defense following two as a running back, Barr has started all 13 games at linebacker and is ranked sixth in the nation in sacks average (1.04 per game) and is tied for ninth nationally in tackles for loss (1.58 per game, total of 20.5). He ranks second on the Bruin team with 74 total tackles and leads the squad with four forced fumbles. His total of 13.5 sacks ranks second on UCLA's all-time single-season school list. Barr's 20.5 tackles for loss this season rank tied for fifth on that list.

In addition to his second-team AP All-America honors, Barr has received second-team All-America recognition from si.com and CBSSports.com. He was selected first-team All-Pac-12 by the coaches, Phil Steele and collegefootballnews.com. The San Pedro resident was also an honorable mention Academic All-Pac-12 pick.

Jones ranked second on the team with 17.5 tackles for loss and is fourth in tackles with 57. Su'a-Filo has opened holes for the Bruin rushing attack all season long and helped protect quarterback Brett Hundley.

The Bruins will be back in action on Dec. 27 against Baylor in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl in San Diego, CA. For further information on UCLA and the Holiday Bowl, please visit our Bowl Central page at http://www.uclabruins.com/bowlcentral.